An attributional style questionnaire for general use

Explanatory style is a cognitive personality variable with diverse correlates reflecting good versus bad adaptation. It is usually measured with the Attributional Style Questionnaire (ASQ), but existing versions of this instrument can be difficult for research participants to complete without close supervision. We describe a new version of the ASQ and its use in a mail survey of 146 college students. Results support its efficiency, reliability, and validity. A satisfactory response rate of 70% was attained. Very few items were omitted among the questionnaires returned (1.3%). Subscale reliabilities were satisfactory (alphas > .70), and the new ASQ correlated with reports of depressive symptoms (tau s > .28), suggesting its appropriateness for general use with adults, including survey research.